How to ride to Alaska

[UberKul]

Thought some might be interested in a little Alaska prep class given at A & S BMW in Roseville. Good excuse to get out of the house if nothing else. What I'm really looking for in this is affirmation that Prudoe Bay is NOT necessarily a wise use of short time.

A link to their newsletter.

"Alaska 101" How to ride to Alaska - Cycle Fest

Sat, April 21, 2pm – 4pm

Where

A&S Powersports, 1125 Orlando Ave., Roseville CA 95611

Description

Riding to Alaska - it's a popular motorcycle dream; but how to make the dream come true? Come to this month's Cycle Fest. More than a travelogue, it'll be like "Alaska by motorcycle 101." You'll learn what to expect, how to prepare yourself and your bike. What should you take? What should you leave behind? Experienced adventure rider Ben Ramos will offer tips and tricks that apply to this kind of quest. You won't want to miss it! Ask questions and get answers at our April Cycle Fest, 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 21th, 2012.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Are you coming up for this, Brad?

 

[MCML]

It would depend on several things. Among them, what type(s) of riding do you enjoy? What is your adventure "quotient"? How much time are you talking about? What will the weather be like (hard to know very much in advance)? Where would you go with that time if you did not head up (and back down) the Haul Road? Have you always had an itch to visit Wiseman (where this photo was taken)?

 

[Tyler]

And how do you feel about a slightly dirty bike? :dribble: :lol:

It would depend on several things. Among them, what type(s) of riding do you enjoy? What is your adventure "quotient"? How much time are you talking about? What will the weather be like (hard to know very much in advance)? Where would you go with that time if you did not head up (and back down) the Haul Road? Have you always had an itch to visit Wiseman?

 

[juniorfjr]

At 750 miles each way, it's a bit far out of my way. Would one of you guys go and take notes. Then you could let us know. Thanks, in advance.

 

[MCML]

I've gone (with Bluestreek, a couple years back).

The notes are around here somewhere (in the form of a ride report).

 

[UberKul]

Are you coming up for this, Brad?

Yes Mike, staying down at the Hyatt with Christy who has a function that night.

It would depend on several things. Among them, what type(s) of riding do you enjoy? What is your adventure "quotient"? How much time are you talking about? What will the weather be like (hard to know very much in advance)? Where would you go with that time if you did not head up (and back down) the Haul Road? Have you always had an itch to visit Wiseman?

I don't feel compelled to slog up to Deadhorse to check off a landmark. From what I've read there is much more to see and do staying south of Fairbanks in the 30 days I have blocked out for this mid July though mid Aug 2014. Shooting for 2-300 mile days with lots of photo stops. Mostly camping off the DR650 with motel stops every few nights for laundry, internet and deep cleaning. Would like to stay out of the tourist funnels if possible but no need to go all Jeremiah Johnson.

And how do you feel about a slightly dirty bike? :dribble: :lol:

Dirty is good! :lol:

 

[beemerdons]

Brad, I rode to Prudhoe Bay twice. Once on my 1986 BMW R80RT and once on my 1984 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide, I was working at Pump Station Number Four just North of the Atigun Pass and my bikes were my only transportation to, from and in Alaska.

Would I do it if I was not working in close proximity to Deadhorse, Hell No! If you wanted to claim the Dalton Highway Haul Road just to say that you did it then that has some value to you, I'd make very good friends with Joseph and Steve and pick their brains!

My Favorite Dirt Roads in Alaska: 1) Top of the World Highway via Chicken, Dawson City is a fun place to spend a night getting drunk in! Note: If you do ride Canada Route 9, definitely go North on Alaska Route 5 via Liberty and spend the night in Eagle. 2) McCarthy Road from Tonsing to Kennecott, area is loaded with Hippies and Vietnam Vets smoking dope: Everybody looks like Old Michael! 3) Definitely ride the Glenn Higway from Palmer to Glenallen, plan on camping overnight at Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site. 4) On the Kenai Peninsula definitely ride North from Soldotna on the Kamal Road and camp at Captain Cook State Recreation Area. 5) North of Fairbanks turn West at Livengood onto the Elliott Highway via Eureka and spend the night at Manley Hot Springs, trust me there will definitely be naked Canadian girls in the thermal pools! Papa Chuy Viejo really LOVES nude Canuckistani women! jes' sayin' and nuff' said! I'll loan you my maps/guides.

 

[Bokerfork]

No pics.... never happened. jes sayin

 

[yamafitter]

... 5) North of Fairbanks turn West at Livengood onto the Elliott Highway via Eureka and spend the night at Manley Hot Springs, trust me there will definitely be naked Canadian girls in the thermal pools! Papa Chuy Viejo really LOVES nude Canuckistani women! jes' sayin' and nuff' said! I'll loan you my maps/guides.

That fool was so drunk in Manley Hot Springs he mistook these for naked woman ...

This is a photo from the Iditarod Dog Kennels which is next door to the hot springs. The kennel is owned by Joe & Pam Redington and it was Joe's father that started the Iditarod Race. The tour was worth the price IMHO and the roadhouse in Manley Hot Springs was great fun also. Don probably should not have been eating these on the way into Manley Hot Springs ...

 

[beemerdons]

No pics.... never happened. jes sayin

Here you go Mark, Lili was from Ottawa!

... 5) North of Fairbanks turn West at Livengood onto the Elliott Highway via Eureka and spend the night at Manley Hot Springs, trust me there will definitely be naked Canadian girls in the thermal pools! Papa Chuy Viejo really LOVES nude Canuckistani women! jes' sayin' and nuff' said! I'll loan you my maps/guides.

That fool was so drunk in Manley Hot Springs he mistook these for naked woman ...

This is a photo from the Iditarod Dog Kennels which is next door to the hot springs. The kennel is owned by Joe & Pam Redington and it was Joe's father that started the Iditarod Race. The tour was worth the price IMHO and the roadhouse in Manley Hot Springs was great fun also. Don probably should not have been eating these on the way into Manley Hot Springs ...

Ooooh.......Shrooms!!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Butcher Brother Bill, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Susan Butcher while I was working in Alaska. I went out to her compound outside of Fairbanks at least three times, to see her and her sled dogs.

She was an amazing Lady passing away much too soon from Leukemia, I was always amazed how docile, friendly and obedient her Huskies were without any traces of bad temperament whatsoever! https://www.susanbutcher.com/

 

[beemerdons]

Brad, I highly recommend that at least one of your legs to/from Alaska include the Cassiar Highway - CA 37. Then I recommend that you camp for a night on the Stikine River at Mount Edziza Park, but be cautious if you are the only camper there as that entire Telegraph Creek to Glenora area is loaded with Grizzly Bears!

There are many other potential hazards to riding a motorcycle in Canuckistan on your way to/from Alaska, but I will tell you about them offline so as not to offend the Frostbacks!

 

[beemerdons]

Brad, since you are not going to Alaska until 2014 here is something you may want to consider. A Gentleman named KHuddy at Adventure Rider, known as AKBeemer at the BMW MOA Forum, has been leading a dual sport ride to Dawson City, Yukon Territory for twenty years now. They always do this trek in the third week of June and it looks like a Hell of a good time, I have never been able to attend but if you started your Alaska trek with these dual sport donks they could tell you a lot about great places to ride to excluding The Haul Road!

2012 Dust 2 Dawson
JUNE 21st and 22nd

Twentieth Anniversary

This year marks the 20th consecutive year riders have trekked to Dawson City' date=' Yukon Territory to gather for two days of camaraderie, friendship and good times. This is where you sign-up; [u']do not use this thread to ask questions, make comments or whine about how you would be coming if only[/u].... this thread is just for signing-up, there is another thread for questions, comments and unbelievable snivels. First a little background about D2D…….

D2D History as per Fighter:

Ca$h Register, along with Jim Coleman and myself are the original founders of the Dust To Dawson (D2D) "gathering" back in 1992. It was hatched over a few beers in the Dawson's Midnight Sun where we first met.

 

A little pre-history

In Spring of 1990 the Alaska Last Frontier BMW Club here in Alaska receive a letter from an Oklahoma rider by the name Ca$h Register. In that letter Ca$h related this story:

 

Ca$h and his long time riding buddy Jim had planned a mega-trip to Alaska for 1990 and were going to attend our little local rally. They had pre-paid their entry fee and about a month prior to lift-off Ca$h collapsed in a restaurant. Heart attack.

Jim was with him at the time and tried in vain to resuscitate his best friend. Paramedics on the scene weren't having much luck either. At Jim's insistence they hit the go button on the paddles a third time and Ca$h's heart lit back up. Obviously their much anticipated trip to the North was on hold. OBTW, to this day... Ca$h's business cards include the phrase "You only live twice" Our local club, upon reading that tearful letter and hearing the story, sent a refund to Ca$h and Jim and included for each of them a club license plate frame.

 

Fast forward to June of 1992.

I was on a solo run to Dawson City, YT and saw two well decked out PD's parked in front of the Midnight Sun. The Oklahoma plates with the LFMC frames caught my attention immediately. It didn't take me long to determine who owned those two GS's. Ca$h and Jim had finally made it to the North country after an extensive rehab. Doctors to this day are at loss to medically explain what had happened.

I introduced myself to these two holligans and another chapter or two was written.

 

That evening over a few adult beverages the three of us hatched a plan to tackle the Dempster and try to make the 500 mile run to Inuvik. The road had been closed for several days due to high water on the Peel River. Lack of gas at Eagle Plain was most definitely our main issue. We waited a day or two for the road to re-open and made our break. The three of us had a wonderful ride. I remember Ca$h standing on his head at the Arctic Circle. It was his 60th birthday. Both Ca$h and Jim were excellent riders as I later substantiated on my visit to Ca$h's hometown of Dill City, Oklahoma... the summer after we all met. Two walls of Cash's shop were smothered with trophies and plaques that both of them had earned.

 

Jim's life was tragically cut short on Halloween eve 1994 while returning home from Cash's place...... his R100GS was no match for the Suburban.

 

On the original 1992 Alaska trip Jim and Ca$h had taken a side trip to Eagle and both were so taken by the beauty and solitude that they made a pact with each other. The deal was struck that when either of them died, the survivor would return to the North Country with the remains of the fallen. A year later Ca$h gave me a call from Whitehorse.

 

"Fite... I'm on my way! Got Jim with me in the tank bag. We were doin' a hundred on the Casiar and Jim was laughing his head off".

 

I will never forget that call, nor the one I had received on the previous Halloween night.

 

Ca$h was retracing the exact route the two of them had taken in '92. He camped in the same places, hit the same cafes, took pictures from the same vantage points. Had a beer at the "Sun". Jim's final ride with his life-long riding partner Ca$h was just as it was the first time they came north.

 

Ca$h (with Jim in the tank bag) rounded a hard right hander about 10 miles south of Eagle and there on that windswept mountainside stood a single tree. The anemic looking black spruce, that had survived a myriad of brutal winters, stood tall against all odds. The view was spectacular. Ca$h later told me that when he rounded that right-hander, thoughts of Jim were so vivid that Ca$h began to weep uncontrollably. The thoughts of his lost riding partner were so intense... and the pain so near.... he could barely keep his PD upright. It was on that lonely road with its breath-taking view and scrawny tree that Ca$h said his final good-byes to Jim Coleman. An emotional two man private ceremony gave way to the Jim's final send off and a plaque being posted on the tree. Ca$h turned around and headed back to Dill City.

 

For many of us it has been a long time D2D tradition to make a side trip into Eagle, Alaska (on our way to/from Dawson City) and to stop at Jim's Tree. We do it for Jim AND Ca$h. You can see in the photos where a brush fire has swept through the area. That fire, along with brutal weather conditions wouldn't dare "mess around with Jim" The tree has been visited and annointed by many of us and the memories of both Jim and Ca$h are alive and well. It is my hope as "keeper of the Tree".... that the tradition continues.

 

For additional history go to: Jim’s Tree

Carry On.

Fite

General info about D2D per AKRider:

 

Here's how it works. You get on your bike from wherever you are. You plot your own course to Dawson City, Yukon, Canada. Join some friends along the way, or make new ones. Arrive in Dawson. Dosen't matter where you stay or if you camp you will find moto friends everywhere, just make a new friend or two. Remember it's notta rally.

 

The Downtown Hotel is the center of all the action. Meet our local host "The Dick", that alone is worth the price of admission. Speaking of admission-there is no registration fee. Just remember you get what you pay for. Just don't call it a rally.

 

There are a few events you just don't want to miss:

 

Friday at Noon sign up for the Poker run. Ten bucks (american) gets you in.

Besides the opportunity to win half of the total collected (the other half goes to a local charity) you get to ride 60 miles of the famous 1898 gold fields. Adventure riders everywhere would pay twice that much just to listen to your stories when you get home.

 

Purchase a ticket for the biker banquet. Steak dinner, cash bar and door prizes out the wazzoo. It is held in the Palace Grand theater. Right out of the 1890's. Trust me, it has all the beauty and charm of the period. And-you can't get inside any other time, it's that special.

 

After the banquet take to street to either compete or just watch the

Biker Games. Remember it's a gathering not a rally so the games are just a little different. But still a true test of skill, and humor. (that means we laugh at you when you crash). Great prizes to all the event winners and the top tree overall. And since we dont call this a rally, the entry is free.

 

Hang out, with your bike, in front of the Downtown hotel until midnight. It's still 80 degrees and daylight. At the stroke of 12, or somewhere around there we Post the Bikes. Get your Dust to Dawson fender sticker for your bike. Wear it proudly. You have to be present to receive this FREE gift. It may not be a rally but we sure give alot of shit away FREE. Ever get anything free at Daytona, Sturgis, Americade etc.-Hell no.

 

This is a gathering, not a Rally

 

Ok not everything is FREE. You have to purchase a D2D t-shirt, your entry into the Poker Run, the official D2D Decal, (no pannier is compete without one), and the Banquet.

 

Besides meeting Dawson Dick there is alot to do in Dawson------

 

Ride up to the Dome

Taste the sour toe cocktail (only at the Downtown Hotel)

Gamble away your child support payment at Diamond Tooth Gurties.

Visit the Dredge. (take the tour it's worth the $)

Take a walk in the 1800's grave yard.

Visit the Robert Service Cabin.

Take a walking tour of the town.

Spend an hour or two in the Museum.

Check out the paddle wheeler.

Throw rocks into the Yukon.

Go skinny dipping in the Yukon.

Meet "Fighter" the Founder of the D2D. (the original name was the Over The Top Hop but D2D fit on the t-shirt better)

Or just stand around on the board walk and BS with other ADV riders. After all this ain't nor F###### rally so have fun.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

#1 KHuddy (Formerly AKBeemer)

 

[UberKul]

Thanks for all the great reply's guys and gals! Thought I had a good route worked out but now have more information to digest. :huh:

Don, you never cease to amaze me on the information you can pump out! I mean that in a good way.

 

[beemerdons]

Thanks for all the great reply's guys and gals! Thought I had a good route worked out but now have more information to digest. :huh:

Don, you never cease to amaze me on the information you can pump out! I mean that in a good way.

About AKBeemer; known as KHuddy at the Adventure Riders Group Forum!

BMW MOA Chartered Club #

Montana BMW Riders #155

Biography

Retired from the Army and the U. of Alaska

Location

In the Land of the Big Sky

Bikes owned currently

R1200R 2008, R100GSPD 1993

Occupation

Suspended With Pay

Signature

Kevin Huddy, Canyon Creek, MT

Info on Summer Housing in Fairbanks, AK Here

Uberkul, it has been 25 years since I have lived and worked in Alaska, to get the most up-to-date information I would directly contact Kevin Huddy at Adventure Riders Group Forum via Private Message. He is a really nice guy at ADV and over on the BMW MOA Forums, he always seems interested in helping riders going to Alaska!

 

[beemerdons]

Thanks for all the great reply's guys and gals! Thought I had a good route worked out but now have more information to digest. :huh:

Don, you never cease to amaze me on the information you can pump out! I mean that in a good way.

Brad, here is a great Alaska Haul Road Ride Report from AirForce-OzarkLimey over at the BMW MOA Forum. There is a new motorcycle rental agency in Fairbanks now.

For those of you looking to rent a motorcycle while you are in Fairbanks' date=' Alaska, check out Alaska Adventure Riders at https://www.fairbanksriders.com. I just rented a BRAND new, as in 95 miles, F800GS for a day and rode to the Arctic Circle. Keith Payne worked with me while I was in Missouri, brought the bike into town and even came back into town to pick up the bike. He has 650GSs, 800GSs, and a couple of 1200GSs, all outfitted with altrider accessories, Jesse bags on some of the bikes, and the F800 I rode wore Heidenau tires. All in all, a very enjoyable experience and one I'd do again. Yes, this is a shameless plug, but Keith is just starting out and doing a good job. Oh, and I got the website from the good folks at motoquest tours waaaaay down in Anchorage. So here's a few pics from the little ride of 450 miles.[img']https://airforce.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/The-Dalton-Highway-May-2012/i-mbW8vCb/0/XL/005-XL.jpg[/img]

At the pipeline viewpoint just north of Fairbanks

This road sign kind of sums up a trip up the Haul Road.

The start, and a nice clean bike. The road was actually in excellent hardpacked condition and really only showed it's true character in a few spots (wet and sloppy, dusty gravel, or deep pea gravel over hardpack)

At the Hot Spot Cafe, just north of Yukon crossing and the home of $5.20 gasoline. It gets more expensive the closer you get to the source.

views like this along most of the ride. The condition of the road made it excellent for sightseeing.

Success!

No, this isn't Lisa from Ice Road Truckers. But there were many of them on the road and all of them being good drivers. Be nice to the working truckers and they will be nice to you.

If you name a creek "No Name Creek", doesn't it now have a name and so is also now misnamed????

The starkness, emptyness, and sheer beauty are simply stunning.

OK, so this isn't really dirty, but it's the best the Dalton could do. If it's any consolation, I had to wipe the dust from my faceshield quite frequently.

The end to my second trip up the Haul Road.

If you are going to Fairbanks and looking to rent a motorcycle, give Keith a call.

Thanks Alaska Adventure Riders!!!!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Thanks for the info regarding the rentals Don. Panman and I were just talking about this very ride tonight...gotta go all the way to the Arctic Circle one of these days.

--G

 

[beemerdons]

Thanks for the info regarding the rentals Don. Panman and I were just talking about this very ride tonight...gotta go all the way to the Arctic Circle one of these days.

--G

Gorgeous George, when are you and Kevin riding to Alaska? After this thread started I rummaged through my Motorcycle Library and got my hands on my copy of "Alaska by Motorcycle - How To Motorcycle to Alaska" by Dr. Gregory W. Frasier; Revised Edition 2006. I bought Greg's 1996 book at the 1997 BMW MOA International Rally held in Fredericksburg, Texas at the LBJ Municipal Park. I gave it to the Fellow AZ Beemers Member who bought my 1996 BMW R1100GS back in 2004.

When I attended the BMW MOA Rally in Essex Junction, Vermont at the Champlain Valley Expo Center in 2006 I ran into Dr. Frasier again and purchased his 2nd Ed. from him, a great moto guy who has ridden the World many times over. https://www.ultimategloberide.com/pages/about.html#drgreg

If you two are riding to AK before Uberkul I will mail this book to you Specific Northwet Mooks first, but if Brad is riding to The Last Frontier before you I will mail it off to him first. Please Note: I only loan out books from my Moto Case with the promise of its return, sometime before I croak which could be at any second!

Thanks for all the great reply's guys and gals! Thought I had a good route worked out but now have more information to digest. :huh:

Don, you never cease to amaze me on the information you can pump out! I mean that in a good way.

Uberkul, contact me. When are you riding to Alaska? If you're leaving for AK before Mopsy and Flopsy do, I'll mail you a great Alaska motorcycling guide! https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier/alaska.shtml

 

[UberKul]

Uberkul, contact me. When are you riding to Alaska? If you're leaving for AK before Mopsy and Flopsy do, I'll mail you a great Alaska motorcycling guide! https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier/alaska.shtml

I'm not going until July 2014 Don.

I'm tired of studying for the trip. My new plan is to just jump on one of the bikes and ride for 30 days. If things go sideways I can always sell my hair to a wig shop. :lol: